AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BWFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS;

Concerning proposed Farrier Licensing, Regulating Horseshoeing Schools in the United States and the proposals made by AFA task forces and their committees;

#1 The BWFA Board of Directors do not support farrier licensing.

#2 The BWFA Board of Directors do not want to regulate horseshoeing schools in the United States.

#3 The BWFA Board of Directors will not recognize small self appointed committees.

The BWFA board members feel issues of such magnitude should not be discussed behind closed doors. We feel these issues should be examined and voted on by the entire farrier industry out in the open with the majority of farriers, farrier vendors, farrier schools and with the large population of farriers who do not belong to farrier associations. They should all have the opportunity to hear the pros and cons of such issues that will affect their livelihood and the future of the farrier industry.

We would like to set the record straight that the BWFA membership consists of over 8,000 individuals, making it the largest farrier association. (Contrary to previous reports by non-BWFA individuals and groups.)

Therefore; this November at the BWFA convention we are inviting ALL FARRIERS, regardless of their affiliations, to come vote on these issues. We feel that this is only fair and that the majority should rule.

In conclusion, the BWFA Board of Directors is publicly inviting the following persons to attend the convention and speak on these issues both pro and con. There will be no secret agendas and it will be done out in the open for all to see and hear.

The is a preliminary list as of June 28, 2005:
The Guild President
The AFA President
The BWFA President
Owners of all private Horseshoeing Schools in the U.S.
The Farrier Industry Association President
Frank Lessiter of the American Farriers Journal publication
Doug Butler
John Blombach
Donald Jones
Marcus Pierce
Mike Miller and the disbanded AFA Task Force members
Representatives from Breed Associations, several congressmen and the press
BWFA Convention dates are November 4, 5, 2005 to be held at the BWFA Headquarters located at the Farriers’ National Research Center in Georgia.

We expect this list to grow as BWFA President, Ralph Casey travels across the U.S. meeting with horse owners and farriers in clinics on his Cross Country Tour 2005 in support of the BWFA, Horseshoe’n Time television show and the BWFA 2005 Annual Convention. More information and Tour Clinic Dates can be obtained at www.bwfa.net or by calling the BWFA Headquarters in Georgia at (706) 397-8047, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our board of directors welcomes your comments and suggestions. We also welcome you to place your opinions in our on-line Opinion Poll located on our website or mail in the form of the Liberty For All flyer being distributed nationwide. (Anonymous name polls will not be counted !)

BWFA Headquarters
14013 East Hwy 136
LaFayette, Georgia 30728

BWFA Headquarters wrote: [Self-aggrandizing fluff deleted]Speaking of secret agendas, would this be the same BWFA that once offered to make me a "BWFA Master Farrier" if I'd send you $50.00? I haven't paid too much attention to the BWFA goings on since then, I figure y'all have all the credibility of a used car salesman and not quite as much integrity.

Tom

Looks straight forward and honest to me. That's more than can be said for the most recent propaganda out of the AFA Headquarters in Albuquerque.

At least the BWFA isn't afraid to take the correct stand on this un-popular issue. You've got to give then credit, they usually stay out of politics and avoid controversial issues(live and let live). Actually they were dragged into this by AFA accusations that the Brotherhood was somehow positioned with the AAEP on a licensing agenda. Just more of those nasty "rumors".

Phantom

After the BWFA tested and pasted me as a CJF after three months of school, and certified a dog as a journyman farrier, I'm surprized they don't offer licenses themselves at only $49.99 if you act now!
I see this as a stunt on Casey's part for some publicity.
Bill

Bill,

A very wise publicity stunt I might add. Hope the bigshots in Albuquerque are paying close attention, they could learn a lot.

So you are an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier, Congrats!

Phantom

Phantom,
Not yet an AFA CJF. I said I passed the BWFA test for a CJF after only three months of school. As a mater of fact the fellow testing on the horse next to mine was alowed to pass though he should have ben disqualified because "the horse didn't bleed that much". True story.
As to the dog story, a Farrier in Ohio, I think, sent in the funds and got a certificate showing his dog a journyman. I can get the names if needed. I see the way I wrote it in the last post, it didn't come out the way I meant it to. I guess I better not quit my day job to become a writer.
Curently I still have to work out a couple of details on my shoe board, and I'll be an AFA CF. I've all ready passed the practical and the writen.
That darn AFA seems a bit tougher to get passed than the other bunch.
I must say congratulations to you on your CJF and place in The Hall, and have been appriciating you posting here.
Thanks, Bill

Bill Call him John, come to that, John call yourself John.

A question for the BWFA, Arn't you the guys who had a gunfight at your last convention?

The BWFA has a professional policy. It is called a pledge as follows:

As a member of the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association, I pledge to support the BWFA and farrier industry by barring discrimination and criticism in any way towards any individual, educator, school, organization, fellow member or working farrier. I will support those who are attempting to make the farrier trade his or her professional business.

Like I've said before, I like honest and straight forward, not double speak, secret agenda and rumor. Good for the Brotherhood.

Phantom

criticism in any way towards any individual, educator, school, organization, fellow member or working farrier. [/QUOTE]

OK then.
Nobody ever say anything to criticise any one Farrier or Farrier organization, or comittee therein. What ever the leaders want, or what ever worthless paper one can buy, so be it. Don't say anything critical.
BTW, all the AFA stuff is signed by the person who wrote it.
Bill

BWFA Headquarters wrote: So many buzzwords, so little time. When you think about it, why would anyone pledge not to discriminate against or criticize other folks, the things they represent, or their ideas? That doesn't make a helluva lot of sense.

Discrimination is the making of choices. Every farrier makes choices relative to his trade on a daily basis and pledging to refrain from making choices is illogical. On the other hand, invidious discrimination is a Bad Thing and has to do mainly with treating others unfairly on the basis of prejudice. For example, I discriminate against the BWFA because thay tried to sell me a master's credential, but that's a choice - and that choice wasn't made on the basis of race, color, creed, or national origin.

When it comes to criticism, our forefathers thought so much of the ability to criticize others, their ideas, and the things they do, that free speech is codified in the First Amendment of the Constitution. In the United States, I have the right to point out that Strasser runs a cult, that the BWFA testing program is less than stellar, and that a feral foot is a poor model for a domestic horse. Nobody is required to agree with my criticism, but the salient point is that I have the right to make it. I don't quite understand why anyone would pledge to give up a right guaranteed by the Constitution; more importantly, it appears to me that anyone formulating a "pledge" that requires folks to give up their right of free expression is indicative of some sort of agenda that won't stand much criticism.

Tom,
I have very much respect for your skills and knowledge, I was a bit upset when I ran across this though

-> http://www.katyforge.com/license.htm

I dont know how anyone as keen as you could think its a good idea take away someones right to their livelyhood. As americans our rights are being stripped daily. There will allways be some ignorant guy shoeing horses even with licenses, just now he can say he's got a license. I dont think licensing will help anyone but the guys at the top. And it will only help their personal agendas to fill their wallets.

Its just a personal disagreement, you still got my respect as a farrier =]
________
E cigarette

SlowShoe]Tom,
I have very much respect for your skills and knowledge, I was a bit upset when I ran across this though
-> http://www.katyforge.com/license.htm
I dont know how anyone as keen as you could think its a good idea take away someones right to their livelyhood. As americans our rights are being stripped daily. There will allways be some ignorant guy shoeing horses even with licenses, just now he can say he's got a license. I dont think licensing will help anyone but the guys at the top. And it will only help their personal agendas to fill their wallets. [/QUOTE]
I apprecate your candor, but I think licensing is inevitable, not necessarily a good idea. Here's my reasoning: In my home state of Texas, the state is strapped for cash, we go from one fiscal crisis to another, land owners are taxed to death, and the influx of illegial aliens has extended our medical, education, and social service infrastructure beyond imagination. We have no state income tax, but we have a state sales tax that taxes goods, not services.

The quickest way for a Texas politician to be tarred, feathered, and ridden outa town on a rail is to suggest a state income tax, so what revenue stone does that leave unturned? That's right, a tax on services! Farriers are way down towards the bottom of any list of service industries that includes doctors, lawyers, accountants, veterinarians, etc. - but we're on there someplace and, sooner or later, the state is going to figure out that we represent an untapped source of revenue. When that legislative epiphany occurs - and occur it will - the state is going to have to implement some sort of registration/licensing procedure in order to keep track of us.

I figure it'd be a helluva lot better for our state farrier's association (TPFA) to work with the equine vets at Texas A&M to start right now to come up with a plan for testing, licensing, administration, and enforcement than it would be to wait on the state to create a bureaucracy to make sure they get their taxes. Personally, I can get along just fine with farriers and vets, but bureaucrats give me gas.

Anyway, that's my take on licensing. I don't think licensing is going to help farriers, owners, or horses one wit, but the state's insatiable need for more revenue makes it not a matter of "if" it's gonna happen wrote:Thanks.

BWFA Headquarters wrote:
If not by name only. I recall The BFWA's president several years ago, putting the smack on "the non certified" during a visit to the 1992 WSFA winter meeting. Further, I recall the BWFA putting a very controversial and what I deemed the most irresponsible farrier article about "speed cutting" in an issue of "Southern Horseman".

Look, you guys can tell me that your the best thing to hit the farrier industry since machine made nails, but I think your organization has done more to divide farriers than bring them together.
On several occasions the BWFA has HANDED OUT, charged for credentials with out testing. In one case your president gave a handful of your Journeyman II credentials to an 8-week class at Oklahoma Farriers College. And don't crack back by saying, "where’s my proof" It's in the hands of one of my neighbors out here.

If the BWFA had done what Ralph Casey proposed all those years ago, had fulfilled Mr. Casey's promise of a true fraternal organization, If the BWFA had not taken such greedy steps to gain membership, perhaps I could respect and join you, but your actions leave a lot to be desired. It will take a whole lot more than a hollow pledge to change my mind about your organization, and your leadership.

P.S. you spell John, J-o-h-n not P-h-a-n-t-o-m

T.N. Trosin,

John, that is correct, you get a gold star.

Phantom